RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The 435th Air Ground Operations Wing rapidly deploys forces to open and operate in any theater and respond to crises and contingencies across the globe.
As a testament to this capability, the wing received the Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award for Jan. 1, 2023 – Dec. 31, 2024.
“Thank you!” said Col. Leland Cowie II, 435 AGOW commander. “Know that you are vital to the defense of our nation, valued as Airmen, and appreciated for your dedication—thank you for all that you do!”
The award, presented by the Secretary of the Air Force, distinguishes units for outstanding achievements that set them above their peers. Follow Me Wing Airmen assigned during the award period are authorized to wear the ASOUA ribbon.
Key accomplishments cited in the award highlight the wing's commitment to its people, partners, posture, and readiness.
People
The wing’s commitment to Airmen development resulted in 59 Department of War, Air Force, and major command-level awards and an enlisted promotion rate above the Air Force average.
Partners
The wing assisted Ukraine and Slovakia with integrating the F-16; Finland to execute the first U.S. F-35 highway landing; and Poland to establish their first contingency response group.
Posture
The wing enhanced regional security by deploying to U.S. AFRICOM to fortify an airspace command and control node and deploying “BlackNet,” an innovative system to restore coalition air-policing networks for eight nations.
Readiness
The wing led the Air Force’s first joint road-to rail munitions delivery for Ukraine and constructed a humanitarian aid pier during the Israel-Hamas and Gaza crises, a first in combat communications’ 72-year history.